Tri-Cities Community Foundations take part in new Emergency Community Support Fund

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tri-Cities Community Foundations take part in new Emergency Community Support Fund

Nearly $600,000 in funding is available in the Tri-Cities area for charities supporting COVID-19 response

Tri-Cities, May 19, 2020 –  The Tri-Cities Community Foundations (TCCF), which consists of the Coquitlam Foundation, Port Coquitlam Community Foundation and the Port Moody Foundation, today announced they will be provided nearly $460,000 to support local charities responding to COVID-19 as part of a new partnership with Community Foundations of Canada, United Way Centraide Canada and the Canadian Red Cross, funded through the Government of Canada’s $350M Emergency Community Support Fund (ECSF). This vast national effort aims to support vulnerable populations disproportionately affected by COVID-19. The TCCF are three of more than 100 local community foundations across Canada taking part.

Additionally, the TCCF will also be contributing $140,000 to support local charities with the funds raised for their Tri-Cities COVID-19 Community Response Fund during their successful Stay at Home Gala event on May 2. This $140,000 includes a combined $90,000 grant from the Vancouver Foundation.

With the additional funding, nearly $600,000 is now available to assist Tri-Cities charities.

On behalf of the three foundations, Port Moody Foundation president Robert Simons said, “This is a vital step in the fight against COVID-19. Local charities and non-profit organizations have been working tirelessly to support those who need it most right now. This additional funding is a much-needed boost to their efforts. We’re looking forward to flowing funds quickly to ensure no one in our community is left behind.”

The ECSF was initially announced on April 21, 2020 by the Prime Minister of Canada. It is part of a broad series of emergency response measures by the Government of Canada.

Starting on May 19, the TCCF will begin accepting applications for funding from qualified donees. Grants can be used for a variety of purposes, including to cover staffing or resource needs, purchasing assistance and more. Funding will be issued on an ongoing basis through July 2020. Charities and community organizations are invited to visit the foundations’ websites for eligibility and application details.

“At Community Foundations of Canada, our purpose to “relentlessly pursue a future where everyone belongs” has never felt more important than it does right now,” said Andrea Dicks, Community Foundations of Canada President. “We’re grateful for the leadership of local community foundations like the Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody foundations which have been at the forefront of local response efforts since the pandemic was declared. Thanks to the Government of Canada’s contribution, our network will be able to unlock even more local impact for organizations serving vulnerable groups, helping us set the stage for more inclusive, resilient and sustainable communities.”

Tri-Cities charities can now apply for grants through the ECSF website: https://cfc-fcc.smapply.ca/prog/ECSF/

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